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Client: Arts Fort Worth
Location: Fort Worth, TX, United States
Completion date: 2024
Artwork budget: $185,000
Project Team
Artist
Mark Reigelman
REIGELMAN
Project Manager
Anne Allen
Fort Worth Arts
Fabricator/Installer
Joe Riche
Demiurge
Structural Engineer
Nick Guerts
Yetiweurks
Computational Designer
Noel Hernandez
Resonant Matter
Overview
RIGHT TURN ONLY is a vortex of decentered directions, where condensed traffic arrows spiral inward and twirl upward toward the sky. Drawing inspiration from the roundaboutās cyclical motion and preexisting signage, the installation playfully nods to the street signs surrounding the roundabout, serving as an extension of the cityās topographical roadways.
Inspired by Fort Worth’s rich aeronautical history, once the site of the countryās most extensive aircraft manufacturing program, RIGHT TURN ONLY mimics the circular air patterns created by wingtip vortices often shed from the wings of ascending planes. The spiral shape, which delicately touches the ground, symbolizes growth, rebirth, and ascension. As the viewerās perspective shifts, the sculpture transformsābecoming a gust of wind, a nest, and then the interior of a shell.
Constructed from hundreds of brightly painted traffic arrows, RIGHT TURN ONLYās steel and aluminum structure gracefully meets the surface of the Las Vegas Trail roundabout. The sculpture extends 20 feet into the air, acting as a bold and whimsical landmark for this reemerging community.
Goals
Integration is essential to this artwork. During the community outreach phase, residents set goals to guide its development, emphasizing visibility, bright colors, new beginnings, hope, rejuvenation, and universal appeal. The artwork references roundabout signage and local aeronautic history, inspired by wingtip vortices. It needed to be dynamic from all angles, as it would be viewed by pedestrians from every direction.
The integration was further enhanced by allowing the artist to influence the roundabout's design. Concrete bands spiral out from the center, reinforcing the artworkās cyclical motion and the siteās function. Neutral tones in the roundabout make the artwork's bold colors stand out. The delicate manner in which the sculpture touches the ground adds beautiful dynamism, further integrating it into the space.
Process
Collaboration is core to my work, and it was essential throughout the creation of RIGHT TURN ONLYāfrom concept selection to design development and installation. For the design, I partnered with a Computational Designer to develop custom scripts, generating hundreds of design variations. This collaborative effort allowed for a rich exploration of possibilities.
Next, I worked closely with a structural engineer and fabricator to ensure the artwork was both structurally sound and easily fabricable. Their expertise was crucial in translating the complex design into a physical form that maintained its artistic integrity and met all safety standards.
Additional Information
This project stood out due to the pivotal role of the community in the selection process. As usual, I presented the community with several directions that encapsulated the artwork's goals. The discussion was centered around a more subdued concept when a group of youngsters from the local RISE center joined. Their energy and youthful enthusiasm shifted the conversation abruptly as they pointed decisively to RIGHT TURN ONLY and exclaimed, "THIS ONE!". Their input played a crucial role in shaping this vibrant public artwork.